My New Central Command Center

August 19, 2011

With back-to-school (well in my case first-time to school since my son is starting kindergarten) around the corner, I wanted to be armed, prepared, and organized for all the papers and plans that will be coming in only a few short weeks.

Creating a Central Command Center has been on my mind for quite some time, and when a wall in my kitchen/dining room area was all of a sudden blank, it was a perfect spot to create this hub-of-the-home.

When visualizing this space, I thoroughly thought through the needs of my family and what we were currently lacking – a family go-to calendar, a place for keys, and all the “stuff” that doesn’t have a home.

In my previous attempt to create a Central Command Center, which can be seen in {this post}, I purchased a dry-erase board that was just too small to fit all the details needed for our daily activities. This is the wall before and the way-too-small family calendar.

Check back next week for a whole tutorial on how I created this beauty!

I couldn’t just put a calendar on the wall and call it a-day. I needed more!

Yes, I needed a spot to put the keys, outgoing mail, digital camera, and all the misc “things” that never have a home. With this project in my mind for a while, I found these mail caddy’s at TJ Maxx last month and scooped them right up. At the time of purchase, I didn’t have a plan for them, but since then they’ve gotten quite a transformation.

A little black satin spray paint did the trick to transform these once Sea Shell boxes into sophisticated mailboxes for “The Hub”!

To customize and identify these new mail boxes, I removed the label hardware from an old photo box and used liquid nails to glue the metal labels onto these boxes. Now I just have to put in a label – ‘his’ and ‘hers’ – and they’ll be complete. Since these handy mail boxes sit directly under the dry-erase calendar, I added a strip of magnet for the pen… it’s tucked in the corner and will hopefully stay out of sight and reach of little fingers (I hope, but I’m probably wrong).

Another detail added to this CCC, are the framed inspirational pictures above the family calendar. Aren’t they adorable?!

My go-to place, Pinterest, is filled with inspiration and I found these quotes a while ago and have been saving them for a good place to display. I love being inspired by great words and this was the perfect spot to see them and be inspired on a daily basis!

I printed them on my computer, cut them, and used simple black Ikea frames, to display them – Art is easy to make!

Before everything went up on the wall, I layed it out on the floor to make sure it all fit and to get the spacing just right. I also had the intention and need for a cork board, but it got the ax since there wasn’t enough room – I’ll have to put that someplace else.

and here it is…

My Completed Central Command Center

It’s already filled with family events and mail to go out ~

And of course, my son couldn’t resist being in the shot – he used to hate the camera, but now loves it!

It feels great to be getting organized before school begins and I loving having a spot where everyone knows whats happening when! Check back next week for a tutorial on created a personalized dry-erase calendar.

I have three in school this year (yikes) and this year is the first year I created an official CCC! It has created order and helped the children learn to take responsibility for their school stuff! Love it!
Beth

Oh, I love those black mailboxes! I’ve been looking for something that could work for my husband’s pocket-emptying spot. I’ll have to see what I can find at Home Sense (Canada’s version of Home Goods) or somewhere else.
Thanks for the inspiration!
~JoannaJoanna @ to a Pretty Life recently posted..Another Blue Door

This is brilliant!! I found your site off Pinterest several months ago but just finally got around to building my own CCC. I do have one question though, how big are the picture frames above your calendar? I’ve tried out a few different sizes but am having trouble finding the ones that look just right – not too big, not too small, etc.

Great idea and just what we were looking for! Thanks! Not sure where this wall is in relation the layout of your home. I am thinking of doing a CCC in my office or mudroom, but my husband is pushing for the kitchen. Any thoughts of usability for the different locations and what has worked for you.

Our CCC is right between the kitchen and the entrance area, but I would say it’s more important and used while in the kitchen, which is the core of the home. It’s where you’ll check for dates on the calendar or look at invites, etc. Near the kitchen is best! -Jenna